Sectional greenhouse.



Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

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mr mums PEYERS co. Pnomumm wsmnc mul o c T. J. CALLAHAN. SECTIONAL GREENHOUSE. APPLICATION Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

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THOMAS J. CALLAI-IAN, 0F DAYTON, OHIO.

SECTIONAL GREENHOUSE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

Application filed November 13, 1916. Serial No. 130,970.

and fitted to each other that very little labor is involved in putting them together and taking them apart, with the result that any one of ordinary mechanical ability, with the assistance of another, can erect the greenhouse, and from time to time increase its length by adding new sections. My sectional greenhouse eliminates the necessity of making a large initial investment totake care of future needs, since sections may be added as the demands for space increase.

It is therefore to a large number of people who can only afford a smallgreenhouse at the start, that my invention will strongly appeal.

The preferred form of embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a side section of my improved greenhouse. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of said side section taken on the line aa of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an inside view in elevation of two side sections joined together. Fig. 4 is a side view of one of the tongued end sections. Fig. 5 is an end view'thereof. "Fig. 6 is a plan view of an end and side section joined together, showing how the tongue of the former fits into the groove of the latter. Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the piece which is applied to the end of a side section when the latter has been joined to an end section. Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the piece that. is supplied to the adjoining recessed portions of two connected side units. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a complete greenhouse embodying my improved sectional units. AndFig. 10 is a plan view of two complete side sections standing on edge, showing how they are united together, and also how each is secured to its respective end section.

Throughout the specification and drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

In a detailed description of the preferred form of embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a side member for use in erecting a sectional greenhouse. This side member 1 preferably comprises a rectangular frame completely covered on the outside with a siding, as shown in Fig. '9. There is also a siding on the inside of this frame which terminates a sufficient distance from each end thereof to provide access to a lateral groove 2 formed in'each end of said frame. (See Figs. 1 and 3.)

The numeral 3 designates an end member from each end of which projects a tongue 4 adapted to be forced into a groove 2 in a side member 1. (See Figs; 4, 5 and 6.) A side and end member may be thus connected with little labor, since the end member is perfectly fitted to the side member, requiring simply that-its tongue be shoved into the groove prepared for it. To make the fastening more secure, screws5 are screwed into the tongue 4 after being first passed through holes 6 provided in the end piece 7 of the side member 1. From sectional units thus fitted together, a greenhouse or any other similar building may be erected, or taken down and moved, with little labor and expense. The actual work of construction, such as the boring of holes and the fitting of parts, may be done at a factory, making the work of erection a mere matter of sectional assembling which may be performed by persons of ordinary mechanical ability.

As time goes on, the demand for space in a greenhouse so erected may increase. Accordingly, it is only necessary to ascertain the length of house desired for the increased needs, and insert additional units to lengthen the house to the required size. This is readily done as follows. After removing the screws 5, the tongues 4 of an end section are withdrawn from the respective grooves 2 of the side sections to which it was connected. Referring now to Fig. v3, it will be seen that an original side member and an additional one are placed together, end to end, so that the holes 6 in the end piece 7 of each register with each other. Bolts 8 are then forced through those holes, after which nuts 9 are applied to draw the two sections tightly together. The flat piece 10 shown in Fig. 8 is then fitted into the recessed part between the surfaces of the sections to make the whole present a neat appearance. For a like purpose the flat piece 11 shown in Fig. 7, is applied to the end of 7 aside member 1 after it has been connected to aniend member 3. (See Figs. 6 and 9.)

It will now be seen that I have provided the means for easily, economically and efiiciently erecting, moving or increasing the size of a greenhouse. or any othersectional building. This is largely due to the cooperation between the grooves and bolt holes in the side members 1.: Both are provided in the side members atthe time they are constructed, thus making the connection of the latter to the end members only a matter of forcing atongue in a groove and applying screws through the right-angled holes. After the sections are thus put together, additional side units may be readily inserted to extend the base, by rnerely removing the aforesaid screws and withdrawing the end unit tongues from the side member grooves, then V as Well applied to buildings for other purposes. Nor do I wish to be limited to the details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, since any changes or modifications may be made therein within the scope of the subjoined claims.

7 Having described my invention, I claim: 1. In a sectional building, a pair of side members, each side member being provided with a lateral groove near each end thereof, a pair of end members, a tongue extending from each end of said end members, to enter a groove in a respective side member, additional side members having grooves similar to the original ones, and means operable within the grooves for removably connecting the free grooved ends of the original or other additional side members.

2. In a sectional building, a pair of side members, each side member being provided with a lateral groove near each end thereof, a pair of end members, a tongue extending from each end of said end members, to enter a groove in a respective side member, additional side members having grooves similar to the original ones, and fastening elements having head portions within the grooves, for removably connecting the free grooved ends of the original or other additional side members.

3. In a sectional building, a pair of side members, each side member being provided with a vertical recessed portion at each end thereof, an end piece secured to each end of said side members to form with each recessed portion a lateral groove, a pair of end members, a tongue extending from each end of said end members, to enter a groove in a respective side member, additional side members having grooves formed similarly to the original ones, the end piece of each side member provided With bolt holes Which ex- .tend to said grooves, bolts adapted to be inserted in said holes to connect the free grooved ends of the original or other additional side members, and nuts adapted to be applied to said bolts, Within the grooves, to draw the adjacent side members tightly together.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set hand this 11th day of November, 1916.

THOMAS J. GALLAHAN.

Witnesses:

Emvnsr T. HUSTON, HOWARD S. SMITH.

Copiesof this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

